A Study in the Suppression of Belief and the Rise of Christianity. Gary R. Varner's new book on the practice of magic from pre-Christian times to today. Available in paper and Kindle editions from Amazon and other retailers.

It was perhaps the most pivotal event in the world’s history that the age old practice of magic was destroyed by a religion which would eventually dominate a large portion of the world and wield an incredible amount of power. Such an event was not a sudden thing. Laws were enacted in ancient Babylon to control black witchcraft and magic. The same incantations and spells used by black witches were not only allowed but encouraged when performed by healers. This study is about the continuous practice of magic by pagans, Jews and Christians. Christians think of Jesus as the Savior of Mankind and the champion of good over evil. However, the first Christians viewed Jesus in a much different way. A bowl dating from the 1st century CE was discovered in 2008 in the underwater ruins of an ancient harbor. On the bowl was an engraving interpreted to read “by Christ the magician.” That Jesus was widely regarded as a magician during his time has been quietly and effectively swept under the carpet.